“Momentum”

17-7-2025

This issue includes reports, videos, news, articles, and a full coverage of the latest developments of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), as well as the Church, Ecumenical, and social events…

This is in addition to the weekly word of the MECC Secretary General Professor Michel Abs which is entitled in this issue “The Executive Committee at Its Meeting, Paths and Lessons”.

You can check the issue via the following link: https://mailchi.mp/c284da2bcb46/momentum-mecc-weekly-newsletter.

You can also subscribe to the Momentum Newsletter via the following link: https://mecc.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=fd3381352a&u=1db32cafe9ea32b38eb90480a.

Paths and Lessons

Professor Michel Abs

The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

The Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches met in Beirut last week, chaired by the MECC Presidents or their delegates, since some were absent for emergencies, with the participation of the Secretary General, associate Secretaries General, and the staff team of directors, section heads, administrators, and technical personnel.

At the start of the meeting, a minute of silence and prayer was observed for the souls of those martyred in the massacre at St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Dweilah, Damascus, as a result of the terrorist bombing. The tragedy of the church bombing took up a significant portion of the time allotted to various topics. In this context, there was a strong condemnation of all forms of violence, regardless of their source, and a strong denouncement of hate speech, extremism, racism, and the current acts of violence that are considered an insult to humanity.

Following this, the participants agreed to visit His Beatitude Patriarch John X the next day at the Patriarchal residence in Balamand, to express solidarity and sorrow for the loss of all these innocent victims. This visit took place the next day, with a large delegation representing the Council’s Executive Committee and staff, in a solidarity meeting that expressed deep feelings of love and strong unity among all who desire civil peace in this land, rejecting all forms of violence, intimidation, and oppression, regardless of source or target…

Via SAT7 TV Channel

Click here to watch the episode.

9 and 10 July 2025

Highlighting the MECC Activities

Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Castel Gandolfo and the Pontifical Villas: A Historical Church Heritage and an Oasis of Rest and Tranquility

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

From the Vatican City to Castel Gandolfo, from the meetings, files, and urgent Church and social issues to a space of rest, reflection, and tranquility, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV moved from his residence at the Holy See to the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo.

There, he is spending a summer period from Sunday, July 6, until July 20, according to a statement issued by the Prefecture of the Papal Household. He will return to this Papal summer residence for a short period in mid-August.

Since this announcement, the name of Castel Gandolfo has become under the spotlight of social media, which follows the Pope's activities and Prayers at the Italian summer residence, moment by moment.

Remarkably, by visiting this town, Pope Leo XIV is reviving the tradition of Popes leaving the Vatican for a summer vacation. The late Pope Francis has canceled this tradition, preferring to spend the holidays at his residence in Casa Santa Marta.

Second Episode - Federalism

Prepared and Presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary

Produced by MECC